On Saturday, May 31, 2003, the San Francisco Symphony presented the Black & White Ball, recognized as the biggest and most successful black-tie fundraiser in San Francisco.

The Black & White Ball, a magnificent gala fundraiser produced every other year by the San Francisco Symphony, attracts a veritable who’s-who of San Francisco’s civic, entertainment, corporate and social communities, in addition to guests from across the country. More than 11,000 revelers attended the 2003 Ball, attired in their finest and most creative black and white evening wear.

Under the leadership of Ball Chairman and renowned San Francisco patron of the arts, Yurie Pascarella, and San Francisco Symphony Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas, the Black & White Ball is simply the event on the West Coast.

The Black & White Ball is presented throughout San Francisco’s magnificent Beaux Arts-designed Civic Center and comprises seven square blocks, including such landmark buildings as City Hall, Davies Symphony Hall, the Veteran’s Building, War Memorial Opera House and other sights. Over a dozen stages and venues are used to present more than 25 nationally renowned headline performers and musical groups spanning the entire musical spectrum. Artists who performed at the 2003 Ball included india.arie, Deborah Harry, Dr. John, Morris Day & The Time, Porter, Batiste and Stoltz of the Funky Meters, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Berlin, and Les Claypool.

Party-goers indulge in complimentary gourmet food, wine and spirits all night long, provided by the over 90 of the Bay Area’s finest restaurants and wineries of Napa and Sonoma counties. The Ball is preceded by two gala events: the dazzling Patrons’ Dinner for 700+ VIPs, and the equally high-voltage Bash Before the Ball for the age 21 to 40 set.

[Black and White Ball website]